The birthstone for September is the stunning sapphire gem. Cherished for thousands of years, this gem has long been a symbol of romanticism and royalty. The term “Sapphire” is of Greek origins meaning blue stone. Although Sapphire is often thought of as a blue gem, this birthstone comes in a rainbow of other colors such as pink, yellow, orange, peach, and violet.
Padparadscha Sapphire
About
The first sapphires were discovered in Kashmir, Myanmar during the late 1800s, when a landslide in the Himalayas exposed a large pocket of blue crystals. From 1882 to 1887, thousands of large, blue crystals were recovered. While sapphires are primarily sourced from Kashmir, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, the September birthstone has also been found in Australia, Madagascar, and the United States.
Since their discovery, sapphires have been adorned by royalty and the robes of the clergy. Historically, the Greeks and Romans also believed that blue sapphires protected their owners from harm. The Sapphire gem has a notable reputation to date, this includes Princess Diana’s diamond and sapphire engagement ring and the Rockefeller sapphire. These stones are some of the most famous gemstones in history with values that are nearly priceless.
The September birthstone is relatively hard, ranking 9 on the Mohs scale, making it a great choice for rings and other mountings subject to daily wear. It can go into an ultrasonic cleaner and it’s a resilient stone. Sapphire is often a popular option for an engagement ring, due to its hardness, beauty, and variety of colors. Sapphire is also popularly used as the crystal on luxury watches and timepieces.
At Skeie’s Jewelers, we carry a variety of sapphire gems and jewelry. Our gemologists and knowledgeable sales associates are happy to show you our current selection and answer any questions you may have. To learn more about gems and to keep up to date with our other blogs and social media.
